Firms lining up for place in Lancashire Enterprise Zone

Five companies have shown a strong interest in joining Lancashire’s Enterprise Zone

Mark Prisk, Minister for Housing, was at BAE Warton yesterday to get an update on the plans from the local enterprise partnership. He said those behind the Lancashire scheme hoped to see initial infrastructure work at the BAE Systems-owned land get underway by the autumn.

The Minister said:

“It is a complex site but they are starting to make good progress. Lancashire is very strong on aerospace and in engineering.

“It’s very encouraging that a least five (firms) have signed up to the memoranda of understanding and are showing serious interest.”

The Zone would span BAE land between its two manufacturing bases and is expected to create 6,000 new jobs with a further 6,000 in the manufacturing supply chain.

Business leaders say they are speaking to a number of companies which do not already have a presence in the UK and are focusing on advanced engineering and manufacturing. There are also plans for a regional skills training academy at Samlesbury, to develop more young apprentices.